Insect control with certain synthetic hormones

ABSTRACT

Insect populations are controlled by treating an immature form of the insect with a novel compound possessing juvenile hormonelike activity. Such a compound is one having the formula   D R A W I N G wherein Y is phenyl or substituted phenyl.

United States Patent Emmick [451 Dec. 30, 1975 Filed:

July 3, 1974 Appl. No.: 485,485

Related US. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 187,890, Oct. 8, 1971, Pat. No. 3,825,661, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 877,019, Nov. 14, 1969, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 787,281, Dec. 26, 1968, abandoned.

Inventor:

US. Cl. 424/341; 424/304; 424/308; 424/330; 424/340; 424/353; 424/356;

. 424/DIG. 12 Int. Cl. A01N 9/24 Field of Search 424/304, 340, 330, 341, 424/353, 356, DIG. 12, 278

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1971 Bowers 260/3405 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Borkovec, A., Insect Chemosterilants, Vol. V11, (1966), pp. 61-63.

Bowers, W., Science, Vol. 164, No. 3877, (1969), pp. 323-325.

Primary Examiner-V. D. Turner Attorney, Agent, or FirmLeroy Whitaker; Everet F. Smith [57] ABSTRACT Insect populations are controlled by treating an immature form of the insect with a novel compound possessing juvenile hormone-like activity. Such a compound is one having the formula wherein Y is phenyl or substituted phenyl.

6 Claims, No Drawings 1 2 INSECT CONTROL WITH CERTAIN SYNTHETIC HORMONES CROSS-REFERENCE aA'ckoRouND or INVENTION vThis invention concerns a method for' controlling insects witha seriesof compounds which exhibit juvenile hormonelike activity. More particularly, this inven-' tion :is concerned with the control of insect population using a series of compounds comprising a long carbon chain containing at least ll carbon atoms to which is attached a benzene or substituted benzene ring.

It is well known to control insects by treating a metamorphic stage of the insect with a juve'nilehormone to prevent passage of the insect to a subsequent metamorphic stage. As a result of such treatment the insect will not achieve full maturity. The structure of two such hormones, Juvenile Hormones I and II, are shown below.

CH CH CH .3 a

African Pat. 67/5149jThese compounds, like the naturally occurring hormones, have a straight-chain carbon skeleton. This carbon skeleton is terminated by such groups. as ester, hydroxy,'halo, and amino.

'Wigglesworth, J. Iris. Physiol. 9, 105 (1963), re-

ported that dendrolasin exhibits some juvenile hormone activity. Dendrolasin is va naturally-occurring compound secreted by the mandibular gland of the ant. Chemically, it is 9-(2-furyl)-2,6-dimethyl-2,6-nonadi ene. r

In the course of synthetic studies in the diterpene series Nasipuri et al., J. Chem. Soc'., 1964, 2146, prepared: 9-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2,6 dimethyl-2,6-nonadiene 'by means of the Wittig reaction. There was no suggestionthat the compound possesses biological activity. p

' v SUMMARY I have now discovered a class of compounds having juvenile hormone-like activity. My compounds comprise a hydrocarbon chain of at least 1 1' carbon atoms to which is attached a benzene or substituted benzene ring. The I development of' specific species of insect populations are'controlled by treating immature forms of specific species of insects with a maturation-inhibiting amount of one of my compounds. The compounds are effective when ingested by the immature insect form or when the immature insect form is contacted with the compound.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The compounds of my invention are those having the following formula wherein each'of R,, R and R is a C,C;, alkyl group;

each of Z,, Z Z and Z separately is hydrogen or halogen, or Z, and Z together or Z, and 2, together are oxygen or a carbon to carbon bond; and

Y is phenyl or substituted phenyl wherein the substituents are fluoro, chloro, bromo, carboethoxy, cyano, methoxy, ethoxy, C,C., alkyl, nitro, dimethylamino or diethylamino.

Thus, for example, each of R,, R and R may be such groups as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and isopropyl. It is to be understood that all R groups need not be the same in a particula molecule but that each R can take on a value independent of the others.

It is to be understood that Z, and Z are related as are 2;, and Z4. Taken separately, each Z may be hydrogen or halogen. Z, and Z taken together may be an oxygen atom to form an epoxy group or a carbon to carbon bond so that there is a double bond between the carbon atoms to which Z, and 2,, are attached. Z and Z may also be taken separately or together in this same manner. Halogens that may be employed include chlorine, bromine, fluorine, or iodine. Chlorine is preferred.

Y represents phenyl or substituted phenyl such as 4-cyanophenyl, 4-dimethylaminophenyl, 3-bromophenyl, 3,4-dichlorophenyl, 2,6dichlorophenyl, 3-methylphenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 2,4-diethoxyphenyl, 2,3-dimethoxyphenyl, 4'carboethoxyphenyl, 4-ethylphenyl, 4- isopropylphenyl, or 3-nitrophenyl.

The preferred compounds of my invention are those in which R,, R and R are methyl or ethyl, each Z separately is hydrogen or Z, and Z together and Z and Z together are oxygen or carbon to carbon bonds, and Y is m-methoxyphenyl, p-methoxyphenyl, 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl or 4-chlorophenyl. The trans isomers of the unsaturated compounds are preferred over the cis isomers. Particularly preferred are those compounds 55 having the following structures.

VII CH3 3 OCH3 Some of the compounds of my invention may be prepared by a five-step synthesis starting with the proper cinnamic acid. Where practical, the cinnamic acid for use in my process is one substituted in the benzene ring with those substituents which are desired in the final product. It will be apparent to a skilled chemist that it will sometimes be necessary to introduce substituents onto the ring at some intermediate point in my synthesis. Such a procedure does not detract from my overall synthesis. By means of my process the cinnamic acid side chain is expanded to the side chain found in the product.

As the first step of my process it is necessary to hydrogenate the double bond in the cinnamic acid side chain. The hydrogenation of carbon-carbon double bonds is well known to those skilled in the art and may be accomplished in the presence of the proper hydrogenation catalyst. l have found a catalyst of palladium on carbon to work quite well in this hydrogenation step. The reaction may be conducted at a temperature within the range of to 100C. and preferably within the range of 40C. at a pressure of up to 100 psig. and preferably at -50 psig. This pressure is the initial pressure in the reaction vessel and will decrease as hydrogen is consumed unless additional hydrogen is added to the vessel. The addition of more hydrogen is not essential to the process.

In the second step of my process the carboxyl group of the phenylpropionic acid obtained by hydrogenation of the cinnamic acid is reduced to a hydroxymethyl group. Means for reducing a carboxyl group are also known to those skilled in the art. I prefer to use lithium aluminum hydride as the reducing agent in an inert solvent such as diethyl ether. The acid may be added as a solid to a solution of the lithium aluminum hydride in the solvent. However, I have obtained better results when the acid is added continuously in solution in the solvent. The temperature is preferably kept below 50C. and still more preferably below about C.

When ether is employed as the solvent the reaction proceeds readily at the reflux temperature.

The phenylpropanol obtained in the preceding step is next treated with a phosphorus trihalide to replace the hydroxyl group with halogen. This reaction proceeds readily upon the addition of the phosphorous trihalide to a solution of the alcohol in an inert solvent such as carbon tetrachloride. The reaction is a mildly exothermic one and the temperature may be allowed to rise during the addition period. At the completion of the addition of the phosphorous trihalide the reaction mixture is preferably heated at a temperature of 50 to 100C. for a brief time of from say 5 to 30 minutes to insure complete reaction. I prefer to use phosphorous tribromide in this step.

Reaction of the halide from Step 3 with triphenylphosphine results in the preparation of a phosphonium halide. This reaction is preferably conducted in an inert hydrocarbon solvent such as benzene, toluene, or xylene. The temperature to be employed depends upon the substituents present in the benzene ring of the propyl halide. Stability problems arise with certain members of the series if temperatures much above 80C. are used. The reaction does proceed at temperatures of around 80C. and no stability problems are encountered at this temperature. With stable materials reaction temperatures in excess of 80C. may be employed to increase the reaction rate.

The phosphonium halides obtained at this step in the process are key intermediates for the preparation of the final active products. These phosphonium halides are represented by the formula wherein Y has the values assigned above and X is halogen such as bromine or chlorine. Of particular interest are those phosphonium bromides wherein Y is mmethoxyphenyl, p-methoxyphenyl, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl, or 3,4-ethylenedioxyphenyl.

1n the final step of the process the phosphonium halide from Step 4 is reacted with the appropriate ketone in the presence of a base in the well-known Wittig reaction. This reaction is preferably conducted in a wherein R,, R and R have the values assigned above.

Any known method may be used in preparing these ketones. One such method is described, for example, in South African Pat. No. 67/5149.

This method of preparing the compounds of my invention will be further illustrated by the following examples. It is to be understood that these examples are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.

EXAMPLE 1 To a solution of 50 g. of 3,4-methylenedioxycinnamic acid in 200 ml. of a 2 N potassium carbonate solution in a Parr shaker was added 0.5 g. of a five percent palladium on carbon catalyst. Hydrogen was introduced into the reactor to a pressure of 30 psig. The

reaction was allowed to proceed until 0.26 moles of hydrogen were taken up (about four hours). At the completion of the reaction the mixture was filtered to remove the catalyst. Acidification of the mixture resulted in the precipitation of the desired 3,4- methylenedioxyphenylpropionic acid in percent yield.

EXAMPLE 2 To a suspension of 13.2 g. of lithium aluminum hydride in 500 ml. of anhydrous ether was added 45 g. of 3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propionic acid, prepared as in Example 1, in small portions as a solid at room temperature with rapid stirring. Following addition, the reaction mixture was heated under reflux overnight. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0 to 10C. and 13.2 ml. of water, 13.2 ml. of. 15 percent sodium hydroxide solution, and 39.6 ml. of water were added in that order. After stirring at room temperature for one hour the mixture was filtered to remove salts and the ether fraction was separated and dried over magnesium sulfate. Evaporation of the ether at reduced pressure yielded 41.5 g. of crude 3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propyl alcohol which was used in subsequent reactions without further purification.

I have obtained better results in the reduction of the carboxyl group when the acid is added to the suspension of lithium aluminum hydride as a solution over a period of time. 1 therefore recommend that the acid be added as a solution rather than as a solid.

EXAMPLE 3 To a solution of 41.2 g. of 3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propyl alcohol in 66 ml. of carbon tetrachloride was added dropwise with stirring 34 g. of phosphorous tribromide over a 20-minute period. The reaction temperature rose to 45C. during this addition. The reaction mixture was then heated at 70C. for minutes and poured onto 200 ml. of crushed ice. This heterogeneous mixture was separated and the aqueous portion was extracted with 400 ml. of carbon tetrachloride. The extract was combined with the organic layer from the reaction mixture and the combined fractions washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and saturated sodium chloride solution in that order and dried over magnesium sulfate. After one hour the solution was filtered, the carbon tetrachloride was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was distilled at 0.5 mm. of mercury at an overhead temperature of 116 to 119C. to give 32 g. of the desired 3-(3,4-

methylenedioxyphenyl)propyl bromide.

EXAMPLE 4 A solution of g. of 3-(p-methoxyphenyl)propyl bromide and 49.3 g. of triphenylphosphine in 500 ml. of benzene was heated under reflux under nitrogen for 96 hours. The solid which precipitated was removed by filtration. This solid weighed 40 g. The benzene was removed from the solution under reduced pressure and 250 ml. of o-xylene was added to the residue. This solution was heated under reflux an additional three days. The solid resulting from this reaction was recrystallized from benzene-hexane to yield an additional 35 g. of product. The 3-(p-methoxyphenyl)propyltriphenylphosphonium bromide product had a melting point of 158 to 161C.

Analysis: Calculated for C H BrOP: C, 68.25; H, 5.72; Br, 15.62.

Found: C, 67.96; H, 5.76; Br, 15.45.

Following the procedure of Example 4 the following additional phosphonium bromides were also prepared.

Compound Melting Point, C. 3-(m-methoxyphenyl)propyltriphenylphosphonium bromide 126-129 3-( 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propyl triphenylphosphonium bromide 188490 EXAMPLE 5 A solution of 0.071 mole of butyllithium in 32.2 ml. of hexane was added to ml. of anhydrous dimethyl sulfoxide. Following the evolution of butane 35.0 g. of 3-(p-methoxyphenyl)propyltriphenylphosphonium bromide was added portionwise over a period of 10 minutes. The resulting deep red solution was stirred for two hours at room temperature under nitrogen. To the mixture was then added a solution of 9.0 g. of 6-methyl- 5-heptene-2-one in 10 ml. of dimethyl sulfoxide. Stirring at room temperature was continued for. 16 hours following the addition of the ketone. The reaction mixture was diluted with 350 ml. of water and the mixture was extracted twice with ether. The ether solutions were combined, washed with water, washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The ether was removed at reduced pressure and the resulting residue was placed on a column of 1 kg. of silica gel in benzene solution. Elution was carried out with benzene, with fractions of 20 ml. volume being collected. The desired product was initially eluted in fraction 73. Fractions 73 to 150 were combined to give the desired product. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectra confirmed the expected structure as represented by formula Vlll.

Analysis: Calculated for C H -O: C, 83.66; H, 10.14.

Found: C, 83.90; H, 10.45.

EXAMPLE 6 The procedure of Example 5 was repeated employing the m metho xyphenyl compound in place of the pmethoxyphenyl compound. The product was evaporatively distilled at C. and 40 microns pressure. The infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra confirmed the product to have the expected structure Vll.

Analysis: Calculated for C, H O: C, 83.66; H, 10.14. Found: C, 83.94; H, 10.11.

EXAMPLE 7 The procedure .of Example 5 was repeated using the 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl compound in place of the pmethoxyphenyl compound. The product from this reaction was evaporatively distilled at C. and 40 microns pressure. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectra was that expected for the desired product lX.

Analysis: Calculated forC H O z C, 79.12; H, 9.75.

Found: C, 79.34; H, 9.54.

EXAMPLE 8 The procedure of Example 5 was repeated employing the 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl compound in place of the p-methoxyphenyl compound. The product was chromatographed over silica gel and then evaporatively distilled at 100 toC. and 60 to 80 microns pressure. Structure [11 was confirmed by nuclear magnetic 45 spectroscopy.

Analysis: Calculated for C,,,H O C, 79.37; H, 8.88. Found: C, 79.14; H, 8.62.

EXAMPLE 9 50 The procedure of Example 8 was repeated using EXAMPLE 10 Example 8 was repeated using 3-methyl-3-octene- 7-one as the ketone. The product was purified by chromatography over silica gel and evaporatively distilled at C. and 150 microns. Structure V was confirmed by 65 the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum.

EXAMPLE 1 1 3-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (50 g.) was added to a cool solution of 55 g. of potassium hydroxide in 200 ml. of water. To this solution was added 56.4 g. of 1,2-dibromoethane and the resulting mixture was heated under reflux with stirring for 90 minutes. The

mixture was cooled, chloroform was added, the aqueous portion was acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid, and the layers were separated. The chloroform solution was washed with water and saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over magnesium sulfate. After filtering, the bulk of the chloroform was removed at 40C. under reduced pressure, with the temperature being raised to 50C. to remove the last trace of chloroform. A nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum confirmed that the desired 3-(3,4-ethylenedioxyphenyl)propionic acid had been obtained in high purity. The yield was 22 g.

EXAMPLE 12 The product from Example 1 l was treated with lithium aluminum hydride as described in Example 2. The desired 3-(3,4-ethylenedioxyphenyl)propyl alcohol was obtained in an 18 g. yield.

EXAMPLE 13 The alcohol from Example 12 was treated with phosphorous tribromide as described in Example 3. The yield of the desired 3-(3,4-ethylenedioxyphenyl)propyl bromide was 17.1 g. The structure was confirmed by the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum.

EXAMPLE 14 3-(3,4-Ethylenedioxyphenyl)propyltriphenylphosphonium bromide was prepared by treating the bromide from Example 13 with triphenylphosphine following a procedure similar to that of Example 4 except that the reaction mixture was stirred as a melt with no solvent at 90C. and mm. pressure. The yield of product melting at 195l 98C. was 22 g. The structure was confirmed by the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum.

EXAMPLE The phosphonium bromide from Example 14 was treated as described in Example 5 to yield the desired 9-( 3 ,4-ethylenedioxyphenyl )-2,6-dimethyl-2,6-nonadiene (VI). The structure was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

EXAMPLE l6 3-Hydroxycinnamic acid was converted to 3-ethoxycinnamic acid in the following manner. A solution of g. of 3-hydroxycinnamic acid, 10 g. of sodium hydroxide and 32 g. of ethyl bromide in 300 ml. of ethanol was heated under reflux for 16 hours. Water was added and the mixture was acidified to precipitate the free acid product which was collected by filtration. Approximately 8 g. was obtained. The alcohol was distilled from the filtrate under reduced pressure. The resulting solution was extracted twice with benzene. The benzene extracts were combined, washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, and the benzene evaporated to yield about 17 g. of the ethyl ester of 3-ethoxycinnamic acid.

The ester was treated as described in Example 1-5 to obtain 9-(3-ethoxyphenyl)-2,6-dimethyl-2,6-nonadiene. The structure was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance EXAMPLE l7 3-(3,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)propionic acid was treated as described in Examples 2-5 to obtain 9-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,6-dimethyl-2,6-nonadiene. The product distilled at 120C. at 60 microns pressure. The

structure was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

It is apparent that a wide scope of compounds of my invention can be prepared using the process I have described by choosing the proper cinnamic acid and ketone starting materials. It is to be understood that the proper substituents may be introduced into the benzene ring after hydrogenation of the cinnamic acid double bond. Such a procedure is equivalent to the introduction of substituents before hydrogenation. The former procedure is illustrated by Example 1 I.

My compounds can also be prepared by a Grignard coupling of a properly substituted benzyl halide and an aliphatic halide such as geranyl chloride or octyl bromide. The Grignard reaction is a well-known method of coupling two halides together. The Grignard reagent may be prepared from either the benzyl halide or the aliphatic halide and then coupled with the other. The following examples will illustrate this method of preparation.

EXAMPLE 18 A solution of 154.3 g. of geraniol in 1.25 of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was cooled to 0C. To this solution maintained at 0C. was added dropwise with stirring a solution of one mole of butyllithium in hexane (about 440 ml.). After all the butyllithium had been added, 84 g. of solid lithium chloride was added in one portion. A solution of 190.5 g. of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride in 750 ml. of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was then added dropwise at 0C. The mixture was stirred for one-half hour after addition. Approximately 2 l. of

water was added and the layers were separated. The

EXAMPLE l9 Benzyl magnesium chloride was prepared by the dropwise addition, under nitrogen, of a solution of 31.8 g. of benzyl chloride in 200 ml. of anhydrous ethyl ether to 6.1 g. of magnesium. Following the addition, the reaction mixture was heated under reflux for one hour and then stored overnight under nitrogen at room temperature. The solution was then added dropwise with stirring at room temperature to a solution of 35 g.

of geranyl chloride in 50 ml. of anhydrous ether and.

ml. of hexamethylphosphoramide. When about two-thirds of the benzyl magnesium chloride had been added, a salt precipitated. An additional 100 ml. of hexamethylphosphoramide was added and the reaction mixture was warmed slightly. Addition was resumed and continued until the yellow reaction mixture turned dark brown. Water, 400 ml., and 300 ml. of ether were added. Following acidification of the aqueous phase with dilute hydrochloric acid, the layers were separated and the aqueous phase was reextracted with ether. The other fractions were combined and washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, water, and saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution. The solution was dried over magnesium sulfate and the ether removed under reduced pressure, leaving 43 g. of a mobile yellow liquid. Chromatography over silica gel Y-CH In the first step of the dithiane route an aldehyde is reacted with 1,3-propanedithiol to obtain the 1,3- dithiane.-This is a well-known method of blocking carbonyl groups and a skilled chemist would have no difficulty in preparing the dithiane. Thereaction is carried out at elevated temperature in the presence of an acidic agent such as p-toluenesulfonic acid. The water of reaction is continuously removed by any convenient means, such as azeotropic distillation. The use of an inert solvent, especially one that forms an azeotrope with water, facilitates the reaction. This step of the process will be illustrated by the following example.

EXAMPLE To a mixture of g. (0.2 mole) of 3,4-methylenedioxybenzaldehyde' and 21.8 g. (0.2 mole) of 1,3- propanedithiol in 400 ml. of benzene was added 1.5 g. of p-toluenesulfonic acid. The mixture was heated under reflux'for one hour with the water formed being collected in a Dean-Stark trap. The reaction mixture was filtered and washed successively with saturated aqueoussodium bicarbonate solution, water, and saturated aqueous sodium chloride'solut'ion. After the solution had been dried over magnesium sulfate, the benzene was removed at 40C. under reduced pressure. The light yellow solid which remained was recrystallized from'a'benzenepetroleum ether mixture. Recrystallization afforded 38.5 g. of the desired 2-(3,4-

methylenedioxyphenyl)-l,3-dithiane, m.p. 96C.

Analysis: Calculated for c n o s C, 54.97; H, 5.03.

Found: C, 55.15; H, 5.02.

Following the procedure of Example 20 the following dithianes (B) were prepared.

Y m.p.. C.

NC Q l07107.5

Br 9l-92 Cl Q 82-83 In the second step of the process the dithiane is reacted with a chlorodiene in the presence of a base. This reaction is conducted in an inert solvent in the cold. Temperatures are preferably kept below 0C., and more preferably below -10C. Suitable solvents include tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, and the like. The solvent should be thoroughly dried and care should be taken to keep the reaction mixture free of water until the reaction is complete. 1 have found butyllithium to be a particularly good base for the reaction. At times, it may be desirable to include an amine such as diisopropylamine. This step will be further illustrated by the following examples.

. oxyphenyl)-l,3-dithiane in 200 ml. of THF (dried over CaH was placed under a nitrogen atmosphere and cooled to 30C. and 50 ml. of a 23 percent solution of n-butyllithium in hexane was added dropwise with stirring. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1.5 hours while maintaining the temperature below C. A solution of 17.3 g. of trans-lchloro-3,7-dimethyl-2,6- octadiene in 100 ml. of THF (dried over Cal-l was then added dropwise with stirring. The reaction mixture was maintained at 0C. for 70 hours. After acidification to a pH of 6 the reaction mixture was poured into 600 ml. of water. The resulting heterogeneous mixture was extracted three times with petroleum ether, the extracts were combined, washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, water, and brine, and dried over magnesium sulfate. After evaporation of the petroleum ether there was obtained 30 g. of a light yellow oil. Purification was achieved by chromatographing g. of the oil over 500 g. of silica gel using benzene as the eluent. Fourteen grams of the desired trans-2-(3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl)-2-(3,4- methylenedioxyphenyl)-l,3-dithiane was obtained. The structure was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Other compounds of formula C prepared by the procedure of Example 21 were those in which Y is 2-thienyl, 4-dimethylaminophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, and 3,4- dichlorophenyl.

EXAMPLE 22 A solution of 4.5 g. (51 mmoles) of diisopropylamine in 100 ml. of THF (distilled from LiAlH was cooled to 30C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen. To this cold solution was added dropwise with stirring 23 ml. of a 24 percent solution of n-butyl-lithium in hexane. A solution of 11.0 g (50 mmoles) of 2-(4-cyanopheny)- 1,3-dithiane in 50 ml. of THF was added dropwise with stirring at 25 to C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 20 to C. for two hours. Trans-lchloro-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadiene (8.6 g., mmoles) in 50 ml. THF was added dropwise with stirring at 30C. After the reaction mixture had been stirred for one hour at about 75C., it was poured into twice its volume of water. The aqueous phase was twice extracted with petroleum ether and the extracts were combined and washed successively with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, water and brine. After drying over magnesium sulfate the petroleum ether was evaporated, leaving 16 g. of a light yellow oil. The oil was purified by chromatography over 400 g. of silica gel using benzene as the eluent. Ten grams of the desired trans-2-(4-cyanophenyl)-2-(3,7-dimethyl-2,6- oetadienyl)-l,3-dithiane was obtained pure as shown by nmr.

Using the same procedure trans-2-(4-carboethoxyphenyl)-2-( 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl)-l ,3-dithiane was obtained from 2-(4-carboethoxyphenyl)-l,3- dithiane.

EXAMPLE 23 n-Butyllithium, 13 ml. of a 23 percent solution in hexane, was added dropwise with stirring to 13 m1. of dry dimethyl sulfoxide maintained under an atmosphere of nitrogen. The resulting LiCH SOCH was added dropwise with stirring to 7.0 g. (25 mmoles) of 2-(3-bromophenyl)-l,3-dithiane in 130 ml. of THF (dried over Cal-l maintained at 30C. under nitrogen. Stirring at 30C. was continued for two hours. Trans-lchloro-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadiene (4.3 g., 25 mmoles) in 30 ml. of THF was added at 30C. The mixture was stirred while being allowed to slowly warm 0 trans-4-(4,8-dimethyl-3,7-nonadienyl)benzoate to room temperature overnight. The mixture was poured into twice its volume of ice water and extracted with ether. The ether extract was washed with brine and'dried over magnesium sulfate. Removal of the ether at 40C. under vacuum afforded 12 g. of an oil. Five grams of the oil was purified by chromatography over 100 g. of silica gel, eluting with 1:1 benzenepetroleum ether. Three grams of pure trans-2-(3- bromophenyl )2-( 3 ,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl)-l ,3- dithiane was obtained as confirmed by nmr.

The corresponding 4-bromophenyl compound was also prepared by this procedure.

1n the third step of the dithiane route the dithiane ring is cleaved by reduction to leave a methylene group. Care must be exercised to cleave the dithiane without reducing the double bonds in the octadiene chain. 1 have found Raney nickel to be well suited for this reduction. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are other reducing agents that can perform this selective reduction. The reduction will be illustrated by Example 24.

EXAMPLE 24 A mixture of 5.0 g. 12.4 mmoles) of trans-2-(4-car boethoxyphenyl)-2-( 3 ,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl l ,3- dithiane and 48 ml. of settled Raney nickel in 500 ml. of anhydrous ethanol was stirred at room temperature for three hours. The Raney nickel was removed by filtration and washed extensively with anhydrous ethanol. The alcohol was removed at 50C. under vacuum, the residue dissolved in petroleum ether, and the petroleum ether solution washed successively with water and brine. 'After drying over magnesium sulfate, the petro-.

leum ether was removed at 40C. under vacuum, leaving 3.4 g. of a colorless oil. The oil was purified by chromatography over 70 g. of silica gel, eluting with 1:1

benzene-petroleum ether. Three grams of spectroscopically (nmr) and gas chromatographically pure ethyl was obtained.

Other compounds offormula D prepared in this manner were those in which Y is 2-thienyl, 4-cyanophenyl, 4-dimethylaminophenyl, 4-bromophenyl, 3-bromophe- 5 nyl,. 4-fluorophenyl, 3,4-dichlorophenyl and 3,4-

methylenedioxyphenyl.

Those compounds wherein one or more of the Z groups is halogen maybe obtained by the known procedure of adding a hydrogen halide to one or both of the 0 double bonds in the side chain. This results in one Z of a pair being halogen, while the other is hydrogen. This procedure is illustrated by Example 25.

EXAMPLE 25 Hydrogen chloride was bubbled into 200 ml. of carbon tetrachloride at 0C. To this solution was added 2.0 g. of 2,6-dimethyl-9-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2,6- nonadiene and the mixture was placed in a refrigerator at 0C. for several hours. Evaporation of the solvent under reduced pressure left 2.5 g. of a viscous oil. The

nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the product showed only a trace of vinyl absorption indicating that the reaction had proceeded to virtual completion.

The epoxides of my invention can be prepared in the usual manner by the oxidation of the double bond with hydrogen peroxide or a per acid. However, I prefer to prepare the epoxides by way of the halohydrin. The epoxide is obtained from the halohydrin by dehydrohalogenation using a mild base. This process will be further illustrated by the following examples.

EXAMPLE 26 minutes. This reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature in the dark. The dimethoxyethane was removed under reduced pressure at 40C. Ether was added to the resulting mixture and the layers were separated. The aqueous phase was reextracted with ether and the ether solutions were combined and washed with water and saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution. After drying over magnesium sulfate the ether was removed at reduced pressure leaving approximately 6 g. of crude material. This crude product was placed on a column of 150 g. of florisil in a 1:] benzene-hexane solvent. Elution was begun with 1:1 ben zene-hexane and a gradient to 100 percent benzene was begun immediately. The volume of each fraction collected was 20 ml. Fractions 31 to 250 were combined to give approximately 5 g. of product. This product was placed on a column of 120 g. of florisil in hexane and elution with hexane was begun. None of the bromohydrin was eluted in the initial 120 fractions and a gradient to 1:1 benzene-hexane was begun. Fractions 221 to 460 were combined to give 4.5 g. of product. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of this prodnot indicated it to be a mixture with the desired bromohydrin and the epoxide being the major components. This mixture was subjected to dehydrohalogenation without further purification.

EXAMPLE 27 The 4.5 g. of the mixture from Example 26 and 2.8 g.

of anhydrous potassium carbonate were combined in 35 ml. of anhydrous methanol and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The excess potassium carbonate was removed by filtration and the methanol was removed from the filtrate at reduced pressure. Water and ether were added to the residue, the layers were separated and the ether phase was washed with water and saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution. After drying over magnesium sulfate, the ether was removed at 40C. under reduced pressure. The crude product was chromatographed on 80 g. of deactivated silica using benzene for elution. Fractions 14 through 40 were combined to give 2 g. of the epoxide. The product was evaporatively distilled at 150C. and 180 microns pressure. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum was consistent with the structure for the expected 9-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2,6- dimethyl-2,3-epoxy-6-nonene (X).

Analysis: Calculated for C H O C, 74.97; H, 8.39.

Found: C, 74.23; H, 8.70.

Those compounds of my invention containing side chain unsaturation may be hydrogenated to reduce the side chain double bonds. That is, those compounds wherein Z, and Z together and Z and Z together form a carbon to carbon bond may be hydrogenated to obtain those compounds wherein either 2 or 4 of the Z groups are hydrogen. This hydrogenation step is the hydrogenation of a carbon to carbon double bond as discussed in Step 1 of my process for preparing the unsaturated compounds of the invention from a cinnamic acid. Methods of hydrogenating double bonds are well known to those skilled in the art. I have found this hydrogenation to proceed readily employing a catalyst of 5 percent palladium on carbon in an inert hydrocarbon solvent. Equivalent hydrogenation procedures will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The hydrogenation of an unsaturated compound of my invention to obtain a fully saturated compound of my invention will be illustrated by the following example.

EXAMPLE 28 To a solution of l g. of 9-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2,6-dimethyl-2,6-nonadiene (prepared as in Example 8) in 40 ml. of benzene was added 2.0 g. of a 5 percent palladium on carbon catalyst. Hydrogen was introduced into the reaction vessel to a pressure of 50 psig. This mixture was shaken at room temperature for 16 hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the benzene was evaporated under reduced pressure to yield pure 9-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2,6-dimethylononane (XI). The structure was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

In a first demonstration of the ability of my compounds to inhibit the maturation of insects the compounds were applied topically to a metamorphic stage of four insect species. The compounds were applied in acetone solution'at concentrations of 10 percent, 1 percent and 0.5 percent. One microliter of the acetone solution was applied to each test specimen. Ten test specimens were employed for each insect at each concentration and compared to ten acetone controls and ten zero controls. Approximately eight to ten days were required before results could be ascertained.

The insect species used in the test were Tenebrio molitor pupae; milkweed bug, fourth nymphal stage; wax moth, fifth larval stage; and Mexican bean beetle, fourth larval stage. At the completion of the test, each specimen was examined for the degree of juvenile and adult characteristics. The milkweed bug, wax moth, and Mexican bean beetle were assigned a numerical rating of 0 to 3 with 0 indicating no effect and 3 indicating the maximum effect or least adult development. Because of differences in morphology the Tenebrio rating scale was 0 to 4. In all cases a rating of 2 or higher means that the insect is incapable of reproduction. The number of specimens in each rating classification are given. The results for the compounds tested are summarized in the following tables. In any test where the total of specimens reported is less than 10, those unreported died in some metamorphic stage. Such deaths indicate control, since the dead insects are not capable of reproducing.

2.6-DIMETHYL-9-(3-METHOXYPHENYL)-2,6-NONADlENE Rating Insect Conc.,% 0 l 3 4 acet.

cont.

acct.

cont.

Tenebrio MWB ccEEu-ui iooqi II acct.

Cont.

-continued -contmued 2,6-DIMETHYL-9-(3-METHOXYPHENYL)-2.6-NONAD|ENE 2.6-DIMETHYL-9-(3-METHOXYPHENYI )-2.6-NONADIENE Rating Ratmg Inscct Conc.,% I 2 3 4 Insect Conc..% (I l 2 3 4 MBB I0 3 MWB I0 9 I I0 I 2 I O.5 I0 0.5 8 I l acct. I0 acct. I0

cont. [0 1 cont. I0 IO WM l0 2.6-DIMETHYL-9-(4-METHOXYPHENYL)-2.6-NONADIENE I I0 Rating ()5 10 Insect Conc.,% 0 I 2 3 4 acel- I0 cont. I0 Tcncbrio I0 NOT TESTED MBB l0 I0 I I 2 5 2 l I0 0.5 l 6 3 I5 0.5 10 acet- 7 3 acct. I0 cont. 6 4 conL g 1 MWB 10 NOT TESTED I 5 5 trans-9-(4-CHLOROPHENYL)-2,6- 0.5 l0 DIMETHYL-2.6NONADIENE acct. l0 R ti cont. l0 2Q 4 WM '0 l0 Insect Conc ,71 O I 3 l 9 Tcncbrio I0 10 0.5 10 1 4 3 3 acct. I0 0.5 I0 cont. l0 acct 10 MBB 10 6 l 3 COM 1 l0 MWB I0 10 0.5 l0 1 10 9 l 0.5 10 Cont 10 acct. It) 2,6-DIMETHYL-9-(3,4-DIMETHOXYPHENYL)-2,6-NONADIENE WM Ta '2 1 3 Rating 9 1 Insect Conc.,% 0 l 2 3 4 0.5 l0

acct. l0 Tcnchrio l0 2 5 3 Com, 11 1 4 5 MBB 10 10 0.5 I0 1 10 acct. 5 2 5 10 9 I acct. IO MWB 3 2 cont. l0

0.5 8 acct. 9 trans-H3-CHLOROPHENYL)-2.6- cont. 9 DIM ETHYL-2.6-NONADIENF. WM I0 10 Rating I I0 Insect C0nc. '7 (I l 2 3 4 0.5 l0 acct. I0 Tcnchrio I0 2 I I 6 cont. l0 I I0 MBB I0 3 0.5 II) I I0 acct. I0

0.5 It) cont. l0

acct. 8 l MWB I0 l0 cont. 9 I 0.5 9-(3-ETHOXYPHENYL)-2.6-DIMETHYL-2,6-NONAD|ENE m1, 111 Raing cont. It) Inscct Conc.,% 0 l 3 4 WM I(]) Z I: 2 Tencbrio I0 I 5 4 0.5 It) I 8 2 acct. It) 0.5 10 cont. I0 acct. IO MBB l0 I0 cont. 9 l l 9 I MWB IO 7 0.5 I0

I 7 2 acct. IO 0.5 3 l 2 cont. l0 acct. 8 I

cont. 9 I WM 10 10 trans-ETHYL p-(4,8DIMETHYL-3,7-

I I0 NONADIENYL)BENZOATE 0.5 I0 Rating acct. l0 Insect C0nc.,% 0 I 2 3 4 cont. l0 MBB l0 1 2 7 Tencbrio l0 3 5 I l I 8 2 I I0 acct. 9 I acct. 9

cont. 9 cont. I0

MWB I0 10 2,6-DIM ETHYL-9-PHENYL-2.6-NONADIENE 1 l0 Rating 0.5 I 3 6 Insect Conc.,% 0 I 2 3 4 acct. It) cont. l0 Tcncbrio I0 l 4 5 WM l0 I0 1 6 4 1 It) 0.5 7 3 0.5 10

acct. IO acct. III cont. 9 I 1 cont. It)

19 20 -continued -continued 2,6-DlMETHYL-9-(3METHOXYPHENYL)-2,6-NONADIENE Compound Conc. /1 l 2 3 Rating cis-9-(4-chlorophenyl) ll) 2 6 Insect Conc..% 0 l 2 3 4 5 2'6 dimcthy| 2'6 l 2 2 4 M88 0 0 nonadiene 0.5 3 3 3 l acet. 4 S 0.5 10 cont. 6 l 2 acct. l0

cont. l0

trar1s9-(3.4-DlCHLOROPHENYL)-2,6- 10 I DlMETHYl.-2.6-NONADll:INF. A number of compounds were applied topically to Rmmg alfalfa weevil larvae as a 10 percent solution in ace- Tenebrio 1( tone. Acetone and nontreated controls were also run.

05 m I I Ten larvae were used in each test. The number of noracct. l0 5 mal adults emerging from the larvae was observed. In MWB if E I I each case, all the acetone and nontreated controls 1 10 reached normal adulthood. The number of normal 3- I I I 5 adults from treated larvae are reported below.

cont. l0 WM 10 10 1 10 acdi I I Number of 10 Compound Adults MBB H1) I 9-(3,4-dimcthoxyphenyl)-2,6

0 5 l0 dimethyl-2,6-nonudicne 5 am 10 9-(3.5-dimelhoxyphenyl)-2,6- 10 dimethyl-2.6-nor1adiene 8 9-(3-methoxyphcnyl)-2,6 d th 'l-2,6- 11" 6 Additional compounds in this series were tested i Me against one or two of the insect species and were shown to be active against such species. The results of these tests are summarized in the following tables. The activity of my compounds has b d strated against a number of orders of insects including -(n- 2;- Coleoptera, Diptera, Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Homoptinsect cor /t 11 1 2 3 4 era, and Lepidoptera. Examples of insects which are' T members of the orders against which my compounds enebrio l0 3 7 1 2 5 1 1 are act1ve include bean beetle, Tenebrio, confused gi 8 l i I I flour beetle, the corn root worm, potatoe beetle, sawcom', 10 tooth grain beetle, alfalfa weevil, carpet beetle, house- MWB l0 4 1 5 fly, yellow-fever mosquito, blow fly, German cock- 1 3 1 1 4 (L5 8 l 40 roach, American cockroach, house cricket, grasshopacct. 10 per, milkweed bug, squash bug, kissing bug, assassin MBB fil 2 I I E bug, bedbug, aphids, leafhoppers, spittle bug, wax 1 1o moth, Southern army worm, cecropia, tobacco bug g- I I I worm, and cotton boll worm. Because of the close 10 relationship of insect species within a given order, it is to be expected that all species within the order will A number of compounds were tested against housefly exhibit similar behavior toward any particular juvenile larvae by topical application in an acetone solution hormone or juvenile hormone mimic. using the method described above for the primary test The degree of activity toward a particular insect may against Temibflo. mllkweed g. WaX and MeXi- 5O vary from compound to compound within my invencan been beetle. he esu ts O Su t s mg ar tion, However, it is to be expected that at sufficiently ported 1n the following table. The results with the first hi h rates f li ti ll f th compounds will F TP P are rfiported on f 0 t0 3 Wltll 0 exhibit some activity, although perhaps slight, toward mdlcatmg normal f l lndlcfitmg an adult Wlth insects belonging to the six orders named above. Simdefomled' wlllgsi 2 mdlcatmg a Partially emerged adult, ple tests such as those described herein may be used to and 3 mdicatmg no evidence of emergence. The results determine h degree f i i f any particmar for the other compounds are reported on a scale of 0 to pound against any particular inSecL wlth 0 mdlcatmg a normal l id mdlcatlng a P Isomerization around the double bonds of my comtlally emerged adult and 2 lndlcatlng evldence of pounds can, and does, occur. Unless a particular isoemergencemer is noted, the tests described above were conducted on the mixture of isomers which were obtained in the l h ve f nd Compound concqqc O l 2 3 synthesis of the compound For example a on my products to contain approximately 59 percent of 5 I 5 the cis isomer and 41 percent of the trans isomer when phenyll-lo-drmcthyll 8 2 5 h ZMonadwnc 05 3 1 6 prepared by the Wittig reaction. This ratio mig t be 9 I changed by using different conditions such as a differ- 8 I I 2 tb d d'ff t 1 t m W'tt' r mns g (4,chlom l0 3 1 5 en ase an a 1 eren so ven in e 1 1g reac ion. phenyl)-2, 6-dimethyl- 1 3 3 4 It is to be understood that the claims of this application 2;, j T 2 cover all active isomers as well as active mixtures of cont, 6 3 1 isomers of compounds of my invention. In those compounds where the pure cis or trans isomer has been obtained, both isomers have been found to exhibit some activity but in general the trans isomers are more active.

The compounds of this invention are active when ingested by the immature insect form or upon contact with the immature insect. This contact may be with the compounds in solid, liquid or vapor states. In general, these compounds are also systemically active, i.e., they may be applied to soil where they will be taken up by the roots of a plant and transported to the foliage which is eaten by the insect form.

The amount of compound needed for field control of insects will depend upon the particular compound being used and the particular insect being treated. In general, the compounds should be applied at a rate of from about 0.2 to about 8 pounds per acre. If more than one insect species is involved, it may be desirable to use a mixture of two or more compounds.

For application, my compounds are incorporated with carriers and adjuvants in accordance with known procedures. They may be formulated, for example, as sprays, dusts, granules, wettable powders or soil drenches. The formulation of such compositions is well known using suitable solids such as silica, fullers earth, chalk, talc, attapulgite clays, kaolin clays, inorganic carbonates, lime and other known solid carriers. These may be applied as dusts or wettable concentrates may be prepared by including dispersing and emulsifying agents. Liquid concentrates may be obtained using suitable liquid carriers such as xylene, kerosene, aromatic naphthas and other organic solvents. In general, the juvenile hormone mimic is included at a concentration of about 2-50 percent.

When concentrates are prepared for dilution with water they should contain about 1-15 percent of a wetting or emulsifying agent. A largev number of such agents are available commercially and are well known to those skilled in the formulation of pesticides. Typical of the surface active agents employed in this manner are the alkyl and alkylaryl polyether alcohols, sulfated higher alcohols and polyether alcohols, alkyl and alkylaryl sulfonates and sulfates, fatty acid amides, polyvinyl alcohols and polyethylene oxides. Other suitable surface active agents are known to those skilled in the art.

It is to be understood that other active ingredients may be included in the formulation and applied with my juvenile hormone mimics. Such other active ingredients include fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, nematocides, and especially insecticides.

I claim:

1. A method for controlling the development of an insect species that is a member of an order selected from the group consisting of Coleoptera, Diptera, Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Homoptera and Lepidoptera which comprises treating, by contact or ingestion, an immature form of the insect species with a maturationinhibiting amount of a compound having the formula I l. l.

wherein each of R R and R is a C -C alkyl group;

each of Z Z Z and Z separately is hydrogen or halogen, or Z and Z together or Z and Z together are a carbon to carbon bond; and

Y is phenyl or substituted phenyl wherein the substituents are fluoro, chloro, bromo, carboethoxy, cyano, methoxy, ethoxy, C -C alkyl, or dimethylamino.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein each of R R and R is methyl; Z, and Z together and Z and Z together are carbon to carbon bonds, and Y is phenyl substituted with methoxy groups.

3. A method as in claim 2 wherein Y is 3-methoxyphenyl.

4. A method as in claim 2 wherein Y is 4-methoxyphenyl.

5. A method as in claim 2 wherein Z is 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl.

6. A method as in claim 1 wherein each of R R and R is methyl; Z and Z together and Z and Z together are carbon to carbon bonds; and Y is 4-chlorophenyl. l= =l= 

1. A METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INSECT SPECIES THAT IS A MEMBER OF AN ORDER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF COLEOPTERA, DIPTERA, ORTHOPTERA, HEMIPTERA, HOMOPTERA AND LEPIDOPTERA WHICH COMPRISES TREATING, BY CONTACT OR INGESTION, AN IMMATURE FORM OF THE INSECT SPECIES WITH A MATURATION-INHIBITING AMOUNT OF A COMPOUND HAVING THE FORMULA
 2. A method as in claim 1 wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 is methyl; Z1 and Z2 together and Z3 and Z4 together are carbon to carbon bonds, and Y is phenyl substituted with methoxy groups.
 3. A method as in claim 2 wherein Y is 3-methoxyphenyl.
 4. A method as in claim 2 wherein Y is 4-methoxyphenyl.
 5. A method as in claim 2 wherein Z is 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl.
 6. A method as in claim 1 wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 is methyl; Z1 and Z2 together and Z3 and Z4 together are carbon to carbon bonds; and Y is 4-chlorophenyl. 